Electric switch



A. EXNER ELECTRIC SWITCH May 4, 1954 Filed April 15, 1952 FIG. 1

INVENTOR,

FIG.4

ATTORNEY Patented May 4, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC SWITCH Arturo Exner, Mar del Plata, Argentina Application April 15, 1952, Serial No. 282,349

4 Claims. 1

ihe present invention refers to an electric fuseswitch its main object being to facilitate the change of fuses and to simplify construction in such manner as to avoid intermediate contacts as, for example, happens in the known types of threaded fuses which, as electricians well know, frequently become loose and unsafe.

The main feature of the switch according to the present invention resides in the fact that the circuit-breaking bridge is at the same time a carrier for the fuses and that the mechanism of the former is built on to the cover of the switch. The advantage derived from this arrangement is that when opening the switch the entire switch mechanism and with it the fuses are removed from the electrical contacts. The operation is thus devoid of danger and it is not necessary to disconnect the current supply specially; inspection of the switch mechanism and replacement of burnt fuses can be then undertaken.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood and readily put into practice, same will now be described with particular reference to the attached drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of its principles, said embodiment to be taken as an illustrative example only and in no ways as imposing restriction or limitation upon the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a switch according to the invention in its closed or connected position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the same switch in open or disconnected position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the same switch with the cover removed; and

Figure I is a front view of the same switch.

Like numerals represent like or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing.

In the drawing, base I by means of rivets 2 is provided with electric contacts 3 and corresponding contact screws 4. The headpiece 5 of base I by means of pin 6 is coupled to the circuitbreaking member I which, in turn, is equipped with circuit-breaking contacts 8 and 9 and is likewise capable of swinging on said coupling pin. Contacts 8 and 9, in spaced relation, are pressed or screwed into the circuit-breaker body I which is made of insulating material such as Bakelite, porcelain or similar. Said contacts 8 and 9, by means of contact screws I and II, are joined through a fuse wire I2 and are thus electrically connected. As already mentioned, cover I3 by means of pin 6 is pivotally joined to headpiece of base I and, with the aid of screw I4 can be fixed to said base I. The circuit-breaking mechanism consists of a rocker I5 with press buttons II} and ii and is turnably mounted inside cover it by means of pin I8. The motion of rocker I5 is transmitted by means of follower I9 and guide channel 20 onto the circuit breaker I.

Above described switch operates as follows:

Cover I3 is tightly screwed against base I by means of screw i2, in which condition the switch isready to be put into operation (see Figures 1 and 2). Pressure exerted on button I6 or II moves rocker I5 by means of follower pin I9 and through guiding channel 20, causing the breaker to operate, and thus electrically join or separate circuit-breaker contacts 8 and 9, according to whichever button may have been pressed, to or from contacts 3. In order to be able to inspect the switch mechanism or eventually replace burnt fuses I2, screw I4 is loosened and the cover, hinged on pin 6, can be swung open (I3 in Figure 3). In this position open to inspection fuse wires I2 can be renewed by means of screws It and II without otherwise breaking the flow of current in the circuit. The entire operation is likewise devoid of danger inasmuch as contacts 8 and 9 by swinging open cover I3 are sufficiently removed from electric contacts 3.

In order to increase the safety factor of the switch and facilitate fast replacement of fuses, cover I3 can also be equipped with spring closures or similar arrangements secured to base I, with the additional advantage that by means of a suitable handle it is possible to remove the entire cover from the base for inspection or renewal of fuses.

Inasmuch as the present invention has been described with particular reference to an embodiment preferred for illustrative purposes, it is understood that changes in detail or construction may be introduced Without thereby departing from the essential nature of this invention, as clearly set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a combined switch and fuse supporting structure, a base, a first set of contacts mounted in said base, a second set of contacts mounted in said base, a headpiece extending from said base, a circuit breaking mechanism pivotally connected to said headpiece and provided with a plurality of circuit breaking contacts, terminal means adapted to receive a fuse therebetween for elec trically connecting together said circuit breaking contacts, said circuit breaking mechanism further including a cover, a rocker pivotally mounted within said cover, press buttons mounted on the ends of said rocker, and means for transmitting the motion of the rocker to said circuit breaking mechanism.

2. In a combined switch and fuse supporting structure, a base, a first set of contacts mounted in said base, a second set of contacts mounted in said base, a headpiece extending from said base, a circuit breaking mechanism pivctally connected to said headpiece'and provided with a plurality of circuit breaking contacts, terminal means adapted to receive a fuse therebetween for electrically connecting together said circuit breaking contacts, said circuit breaking mechanism further including a cover, a rocker pivotally mounted within said cover, press buttons mounted on the ends of said rocker, means for transmitting the motion of the rocker to said circuit breaking mechanism, said means comprising a follower carried by said rocker, there being a guide chan' nel in said circuit breaking mechanism for receiving said follower.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said circuit breaking mechanism is made References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,204,298 Carlisle June 11, 1940 2,242,921 Parker et a1 May 20, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 186,256 Great Britain Sept. 28, 1922 

